Cue practising machine



May 17, 1955 G. BUNKA 2,708,577

CUE PRACTISING MACHINE Filed April 20, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l GEORGE BUNKA A-rronuws G. BUNKA CUE PRACTISING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvzm'on GEORGE BUNKA I 1 Q6- ATTORNEYS May 17, 1955 Filed April 20, 1954 Unite C Patent CUE PRACTISING MACHINE George Bunka, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Application April 20, 1954, Serial N0. 424,422

9 Claims. (Cl. 273-2) This invention relates to a machine adapted to enable players to practice handling cues in the proper manner.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a machine which may be used to instruct players how to handle cues properly for games such as billiards, snooker, pool and the like.

Up to the present time, there has been no mechanism for helping players to learn how to handle cues. This instruction has always been on a personal basis and most players or prospective players have not been able to find someone with the knowledge or time to give them the necessary instruction. Furthermore, a player can learn to handle the cue properly only by continuous practice, and it is not practical for someone to stand around for long periods to see that it is done correctly. As a result of this, comparatively few players learn to handle a cue, and this is the main difference between playing a good or bad game.

The present invention overcomes this by providing a machine which will enable players to practice with a one without the necessity of having someone standing by to see that it is done properly. This machine includes a flat table top having a slot therein, and a pin projecting upwardly through the slot to which the small striking end or tip of a cue is connected. Suitable means is provided for reciprocating the pin, and this is adjusted so that the stroke of the cue connected to the pin is correct for normal playing purposes. The stroke of the pin and cue may be adjusted to suit different people and different styles of games.

An example of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a reduced perspective view of a practising machine,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of the pin and means for connecting the cue thereto.

Referring to Figure l of the drawings, is a casing having legs 11 and a fiat table top 12. This table top may be covered with a layer of green baize 13 to simulate the top of a pool table. The table top is preferably rectangular in shape and has a slot 15 extending longitudinally thereof adjacent one end and substantially midway between its sides.

if desired, a cue ball 16 may be fixed to the table top at one end of slot 15. Referring particularly to Figures 2 to 5, a pin 20 projects upwardly through the slot 15 and a cue 21 is connected at its tip or striking head to the upper end of this pin. vention, the end 22 of the cue is fixedly secured in a ferrule 24 which has a lug 25 projecting outwardly from an end thereof lying in a substantially vertical plane. This lug fits into a slot 27 formed in the upper end of a socket 28, and is connected to the latter by a pin 29.

In the preferred form of the in-' 2,768,577 Patented May 17, 1955 Zoe This socket rotatably fits over the upper end of pin 20 so that the one may be swung radially around the pin, and the connection of said cue to the socket permits the former to be swung in a vertical plane.

A plate 32 is fixed to the underside of the table top 12 and spaced therefrom in any convenient manner. In this example, spacers 33 keep the plate away from the table top and screws 34 extending through the plate and the spacers secure the former to said table top. This plate has a slot 37 therein registering with the slot 15 of the table top. Pin 20 has a flange 39 which rests on the plate 32 or, as shown, on a washer 40 which, in turn, rests on said plate. The pin also has an enlargement 42 beneath the flange and above a threaded lower end 43 of said pin, said enlargement fitting in the slot 37 and extending slightly below the lower surface of 'plate 32.

Suitable means is provided for reciprocating pin in the slots 15 and 37. This may be accomplished by means of an arm 45 having a hole 46 in one end. The lower portion 43 of the pin extends through-this hole, and a nut 48 threaded on this portion retains the arm either against the bottom of the pin enlargement 42 or a washer 49 hearing against said bottom.

A large pulley 52 is fixedly mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 53 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings within the casing 10. The opposite end 55 of arm 45 is connected to this pulley in any desired manner. In this example, the pulley is provided with a plurality of holes 56 therein, each hole being spaced a different distance from the axis of rotation of the pulley than the other holes. A bolt or pin 57 connects the arm end to any one of these holes.

An electric motor 60 is mounted within the casing 10 below the table top 12, and suitable driving means connects this motor to pulley 52 to rotate the latter and reciprocate the pin 20. it is usually necessary to use speed reduction drive means for this purpose. In this example, a small pulley 62 is fixedly mounted on the power shaft 63 of the motor and is connected by a belt 64 to a large pulley 65 fixedly mounted on a vertical shaft 66 supported in suitable bearings within the casing.- Another small pulley 69 fixedly mounted on the upper end, of the shaft 66 is connected by a belt 70 to the pulley 52.

In order to use this practising machine, the motor 60 is set into operation and through the driving means, the motor turns pulley 52. This, in turn, reciprocates the arm 45 which acts as a pitman and reciprocates pin 20 in the slots 15 and 37. As the end of the cue 21 is connected to this pin, it reciprocates with the latter. The player desiring to use this machine grasps the cue near its free end and retains his hand relative to his body in the generally accepted position, that is, his hand is at his side when the pin is at the end of the slot 15 nearest him. He may form a cradle with his other hand beneath the cue near the tip 22 thereof in the usual manner. As the machine operates, the one is moved back and forth in what is considered to be the proper manner. Thus, the player can continue with the machine until he gets the general feel of the cue and the length of the stroke which should produce the best results. If it is desired to change the length of the stroke, it is only necessary to move the pin 57 extending through the end of arm 45 to another hole 56 in pulley 52.

As the player uses the machine, he may practice sight ing along the cue at the ball 16.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A cue practising machine comprising a flat table top, a slot in said top, a pin projecting upwardly through the slot, means below the table top for reciprocating the pin in the slot, a cue, and means connecting an end of the cue to the pin, whereby the cue may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke.

2. A one practising machine comprising a flat table top, a slot in said top, a pin projecting upwardly through the slot, means below the table top for reciprocating the pin in the slot, a cue tapering to a small striking end, and means pivotally connecting said striking end of the cue to the pin, whereby the cue may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke.

3. A cue practising machine comprising a fiat table top, a slot in said top, a pin projecting upwardly through the slot, means below the table top for reciprocating the pin in the slot, a socket rotatably fitting over the upper end of the pin, a cue, means pivotally connecting one end of the cue to the socket, said pivot means permitting the cue to be swung in a vertical plane whereby the cue may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke.

4. A one practising machine as claimed in claim 3 including means for adjusting the length of the pin stroke.

5. A cue practising machine comprising a flat table top, a slot in said top, a plate spaced below the table top and having a slot therein registering with the table slot, a pin slidably mounted in the plate slot and extending upwardly through the table slot, means con nected to the lower end of the pin for reciprocating the latter, a cue, and means connecting an end of the cue to the upper end of the pin, whereby the cue may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke.

6. A cue practising machine comprising a fiat table top, a slot in said top, a plate spaced below the table top and having a slot therein registering with the table slot, a pin slidably mounted in the plate slot and extending upwardly through the table slot, means connected to the lower end of the pin for reciprocating the latter, a socket rotatably fitting over the upper end of the pin, a cue, means pivotally connecting one end of the cue to the socket, saidpivot means permitting the cue to be swung in a vertical plane whereby the one may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke.

7. A cue practising machine comprising a flat table top, a slot in said top, a plate spaced below the table top and having a slot therein registering with the table slot, a pin slidably mounted in the plate slot and extending upwardly through the table slot, an arm connected at one end to the lower end of the pin and eX- tending longitudinally of the slots, a motor mounted below the table top, driving means connecting the motor to the opposite end of the arm for reciprocating said arm, a cue, and means connecting an end of the cue to the upper end of the pin, whereby the cue may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke.

8. A cue practising machine comprising a flat table top, a slot in said top, a plate spaced below the table top and having a slot therein registering with the table slot, a pin slidably mounted in the plate slot and extending upwardly through the table slot, an arm connected at one end to the lower end of the pin and extending longitudinally of the slots, a pulley rotatably mounted near the arm, means connecting the opposite end of the arm to the pulley spaced from its axis of rotation, a motor mounted below the table top, driving means connecting the motor to the pulley to rotate the latter and reciprocate the pin, a cue, and means connecting an end of the cue to the upper end of the pin, whereby the cue may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke.

9. A cue practising machine comprising a fiat table top, a slot in said top, a plate spaced below the table top and having a slot therein registering with the table slot, a pin slidably mounted in the plate slot and extending upwardly through the table slot, an arm connected at one end to the lower end of the pin and extending longitudinally of the slots, a pulley rotatably mounted near the arm, a plurality of spaced holes in the pulley, each hole being spaced a different distance from the axis of rotation of the pulley than the other holes, a pin for connecting the opposite end of the arm to any of the pulley holes, a motor mounted below the table top, driving means connecting the motor to the pulley to rotate the latter and reciprocate the pin, a cue, and means connecting an end of the cue to the upper end of the pin, whereby the cue may be reciprocated by the pin through a predetermined stroke. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,308,405 Engelman July 1, 1919 2,544,128 Bell Mar. 6, 1951 2,626,151 Jenks Jan. 20, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,732 Great Britain 1899 

